PERSISTENT Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

persistent

adjective

pər-ˈsi-stənt

Definition of persistent

as in insistent

continuing despite difficulties, opposition, or discouragement although his first attempts were singularly unsuccessful, he was persistent in his pursuit of a career in rock music

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of persistent After years of elevated borrowing costs and persistent inflation, a lot of borrowers are finding themselves at that tipping point right now. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 31 July 2026 Until then, symptoms such as a persistent or worsening cough, coughing up blood, chest pain, shortness of breath, hoarseness or unexplained weight loss warrant a conversation with a healthcare provider. — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 31 July 2026 Researchers note that persistent health monitoring is individual-specific, so each person has to decide whether the data is helping them or quietly harming them. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026 On the one hand, clinical anxiety is persistent, excessive, and disruptive. — David H. Rosmarin, Time, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for persistent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for persistent

Adjective

James Madison was insistent that Congress was the most important and powerful branch, especially the House, which was closest to the people and, being elected every two years, would infuse new blood and new ideas into Congress in perpetuity.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2026
Frightening and insistent, impossible yet certain, a feeling more powerful than knowledge.

— Emily Ruskovich, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026

Definition of insistent

Adjective

Have a stubborn stain or lingering odor somewhere in your home?

— Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 3 Aug. 2026
Pair them with the Corn Boats so your cob doesn't roll away; the incredibly handy Corn Stripper, which removes kernels from the cob in one smooth, easy motion; and the Corn Brush, which removes stubborn corn silk easily.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of stubborn

Adjective

That approach has totted up 38 unbeaten matches and created a resolute backline – another key trait of almost all World Cup winners – through pragmatism-by-possession.

— Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
An extremely wacky third-place game The World Cup final tends to be a nervy affair, often marked by cautious attacks and resolute defending.

— Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 19 July 2026

Definition of resolute

Adjective

Hwang Jung-min, who leads the international cast, recommended Hoyeon for the role of a tenacious police officer.

— Angelique Jackson, Variety, 24 July 2026
Directed by their longtime collaborator Garth Jennings, the feature combines footage from their arena tour behind last year’s reunion album, More, with archival film tracing the band’s rise from tenacious Sheffield also-rans to Britpop darlings.

— Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 23 July 2026

Definition of tenacious

Adjective

Fineman is set to play Parker Quinn, a sports reporter for a top publication who’s known as a dogged reporter with a passion for her beat.

— Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 20 July 2026
One of the hallmarks of the series is its dogged attention to detail, an aspect of storyboarding infinitely complicated by the non-linear nature of the episodes and the vast number of years Lestat’s life as a vampire spans.

— CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 7 July 2026

Definition of dogged

Adjective

And many on Wall Street remain steadfast in their belief that this cycle won’t be any different.

— Ryan Vlastelica, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026
Herrera proactively trains staff for potential immigration enforcement, creating vital protocols due to a lack of external business guidance, embodying a steadfast commitment to protecting its community.

— Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of steadfast

Adjective

Much of the tension comes from Shaw’s relentless badgering of Dreyfuss, a dynamic that can grow somewhat repetitive as the play progresses.

— Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026
The food and beverage industry is shifting its focus from relentless novelty to leveraging familiarity and consumer trust.

— Louis Biscotti, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of relentless

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persistency

persistent

persisting

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“Persistent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persistent. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of persistent

adjective

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